[2010.05.31] ANDY LAU PUMPS UP GALLANTS WITH BRAVADO

The new film GALLANTS (DA LUI TOI) two nights ago held its premiere. Executive producer Andy Lau Tak Wa has invested in film for years but has not had any big hit, but this time he was full of confidence and stated the box office goal to be 6 million. He even stated that if the goal was reached he would make more movies for free for the audience to enjoy, trying to pump up the box office with his talk.

The Wa Jai invested, Lam Ka Tung produced GALLANTS two nights ago held its premiere. They as Big Brothers led the cast MC Jin, Wong Yau Nam, JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun), Leung Siu Lung, Chen Kuan Tai, Law Mong, Susan Shaw (Siu Yam Yam) and others to the event. Wa Jai's industry friends like Fok Chun Ting, Ti Lung and his wife Tao Man Ming, Willie Chan Chi Keung and Law Lan came in support. Wa Jai led everyone down the red carpet. He even excitedly went off stage to embrace and shake hands with guests, as well as leading the cast and crew on stage with a "night congee" ceremony.

In addition, the event had a rap contest. The winner was lucky enough to rap against MC Jin. The audience went crazy when they saw Heavenly King Lau, as they drowned out Wa Jai's voice. He excitedly said, "If this movie breaks 6 million at the box office, I will make a movie for free for you to enjoy." The crowd roared instantly. First time producer Lam Ka Tung also set a goal, "If this movie makes less than 5 or 6 million I will never make any movie again." Wa Jai immediately laughed it off and as whether he was able to keep that promise. Ka Tung said, "With you, the veterans, family, and Fok Chun Ting's support, I am estimating around 5 to 6 million." Ka Tung also dragged Fok Chun Ting on stage, he even praised that GALLANTS would make more than 6 million.

Later Wa Jai pointed out that the 5 to 6 million box office was already considered high. Has he thought about it reaching 10 million, Wa Jai firmly stated, "Impossible, GALLANTS knows its place. We don't have any big actor, we have veteran actors and new directors. The original estimate was only 2 to 3 million." Wa Jai expressed that this time GALLANTS will be nationally released and the Cantonese version will be shown in the North. She said, "In the South we will use the Cantonese version, but in the North like Beijing and Shanghai we will also use the Cantonese version." As for the Mainland box office goal, Wa Jai looked forward to 20 million. He said, "If Hong Kong box office did not reach 5 million at most the film only loses 1 million; with 5 million at the box office it is already a draw." Was he able to withstand the loss? He said, "That's not the problem, it's a problem of it should be done." Was he afraid that the Mainland audience would not understand the Hong Kong style comedy, Wa Jai was not too worried. He said, "With subtitles, the Northern release will still primarily be Putonghua versions."

In addition, with the World Cup kicking off on the 11th was he worried about its effect on this film's box office? Wa Jai predicted that the World Cup effect will have very little impact on the film. He said, "The audience wouldn't be too different. Even without the World Cup it wouldn't have several tens of millions at the box office." Lead actor MC Jin expressed that this time was a learning opportunity for me. At the same time he thanked Ka Tung and Wa Jai. He said, "Yau Nam, me and the others during the shoot constantly went to train at Wa Jai's club. Seeing Wa Jai's posters was already a lot of fun."